NH to receive another $3.38 milllion in federal fuel assistance for poor

MANCHESTER - Members of New Hampshire's Congressional Delegation applauded the federal government which released $3.384 million in fuel assistance funds for New Hampshire residents.

U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) and U.S. Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH) all said the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) release of $3.384 million in Low Income Home Energy Assistance Funds (LIHEAP) funds was welcome news for families struggling to pay heating bills this particularly cold winter.

"The release of New Hampshire’s LIHEAP funds is a welcome development for families across New Hampshire," Shaheen and Ayotte said in a news release issued Thursday. "To many struggling Granite State families in need, this assistance is critical, especially as our state continues to experience bitter cold weather."

Shea-Porter said the added funds "is good news for thousands of Granite Staters trying to get through a particularly cold winter while facing a sluggish economy and high home heating costs. LIHEAP funds are critical to the security and safety of New Hampshire citizens, especially low-income households, veterans, and seniors, providing them with vital temporary assistance during cold winter months.”

Shaheen and Ayotte wrote to HHS last week calling for the immediate release of the funds.

Last month, Shea-Porter called on Congress to increase the fuel assistance funding and in April, sent a bipartisan letter requesting $5.1 billion in funding for FY 2014.